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cire
Mar 10, 2005, 9:12 PM
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Registered: Nov 21, 2003
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Looking to move to Washington state. Wanted to know from climbing aspect how the weather really is up there. Does it rain as much as they claim?
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korntera
Mar 10, 2005, 9:45 PM
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Registered: May 14, 2004
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It does rain as much as they claim but its not like rain from different areas of the country, Indiana actually gets more rain than Oregon/washington but they only get rain for a few days, in the northwest it just drizzels all day long. This year however has been about the driest year ever experienced.
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mtman
Mar 10, 2005, 9:52 PM
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Registered: Apr 15, 2003
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this winter has been great (unless you are a skier) and we have had very little rain. it doesn’t rain as much as people say, we just don't want more people (especially Californians) to move up here.
as far as the climbing is concerned there is a couple good spots 45min from Seattle near north bend (see route data base for exit 32 and 38) but you usually have to wait 48 hours after it rains a lot for the rocks to dry out but the summers around here are very nice and usually perfect climbing weather.
hope that helps
mtman
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lithophiliac
Mar 10, 2005, 10:29 PM
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Registered: Feb 9, 2005
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Some years the West side of the State seems to be in a fog bank most of the year except July through mid September. This year has not been the case. I've been able to climb outside nearly every weekend since late January and we are in a record drought. The Cascade mountains provide enough rain shadow to keep Eastern Washington even dryer than Seattle.
If you are moving to the Seattle area, you have your choice of several quality crags/areas (way better that exit 38) within 2 +/- hours, including Index, Darrington, Leavenworth, Vantage and Squamish B.C. However, the immediate Seattle area is very limited on natural rock. Most Seattle climbers that I know train in gyms (Stone Gardens) or go to the University of Washington Climbing rock or Marrimore (sp?) Park when it is not wet.
If you move near Spokane (Eastern Wa), there are numerous smaller, mostly sport crags all around town which can be climbable any time of year with luck. While Washington doesn't have any "super classic" destinations like Yosemite or J-Tree, we do have tons of diverse rock types and massive potential for new areas.
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kanu
Mar 10, 2005, 11:06 PM
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Registered: Feb 22, 2005
Posts: 17
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Seattle has an awesome climbing scene. The indoor gyms are top notch and the local crags, exit 32 and the like are very very close to seattle. Some people complain about the quality of the rock etc, but it's fine. There is also an up and coming mixed climbing scene at snoqualomie pass. The state also has several great climbing areas from index to levenworth and as mentioned squamish is really close. The mountaineering situation out here is even better. As for the rain, it's all hype. It mists here, it doesn't really get the midwest downpour very often.
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kanu
Mar 10, 2005, 11:07 PM
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Registered: Feb 22, 2005
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Seattle has an awesome climbing scene. The indoor gyms are top notch and the local crags, exit 32 and the like are very very close to seattle. Some people complain about the quality of the rock etc, but it's fine. There is also an up and coming mixed climbing scene at snoqualomie pass. The state also has several great climbing areas from index to levenworth and as mentioned squamish is really close. The mountaineering situation out here is even better. As for the rain, it's all hype. It mists here, it doesn't really get the midwest downpour very often.
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iclimbtoo
Mar 10, 2005, 11:51 PM
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Registered: Feb 10, 2002
Posts: 645
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They all LIE!! They are all liars! You will HATE it if you move out here! It rains constantly and you never see the sun! Don't do it! Worse yet, the climbing is TERRIBLE!!! :cry: :cry:
Seriously though? I moved out here (Tacoma) 9 months ago and I am never leaving. The Pacific Northwest is amazing...seriously there is 500 lifetimes worth of rock climbing out here and then some (and I'm not including all of the alpine stuff that is available too!) It's totally worth it!
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